09sep

Pacific Northwest

share

share

by Sarah J.F. Braley |
September 01, 2016

Why here?

The northwest corner of the country has breathtaking beauty and outdoor activities for groups, even as constant work is being done to enhance the meetings infrastructure. To that end, convention centers are being upgraded and expanded in Bellevue, Wash.; Boise, Idaho (pictured), and Seattle.

SEATTLE UPDATE• A $1.6 billion project to double the size of the Washington State Convention Center will begin in summer 2017. When finished in 2020, the facility will have more than 850,000 square feet of space.

• The 158-room Thompson Seattle opened in June by Pike Place Market. More than 5,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space is available, including the Nest rooftop.

FRUITFUL QUAFFS
A new taproom is open at the Meriwether Cider Co. in Garden City, just outside Boise. The tasting room holds up to 25 people, who sip concoctions like Apricot Sage and Gin & Juice.

read more

BELLEVUE, WASH.

Local Update• A $12.5 million renovation has been completed at Meydenbauer Center, including a remodeling of the 12,000 square feet of meeting space on the fourth floor. The facility features 54,000 square feet of space in all, highlighted by the 36,000-square-foot Center Hall.

•Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants is bringing a new-build property to the city. The 120-room Bellevue Kimpton will be part of a mixed-use development scheduled to break ground in early 2017. The hotel will open in 2019 with about 5,000 square feet of meeting space, a full-service restaurant, and a rooftop swimming pool with adjacent event space and a lounge.

Group Venue: Treat groups of up to 100 to tasty American fare and live music at Bake's Place in Bellevue, near Meydenbauer Center. An outdoor patio can host up to 250 for a private reception. (425) 454-2776